Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 - Story Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 CHRIS LEHOURITES AP Sports Writer 5:03 PM, Jul 1, 2012 Share Article Victor Valdes (2nd R) and Cesc Fabregas (3rd R) of Spain celebrate after victory during the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Copyright Getty Images Previous Next KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - The defense was impenetrable. The offense was unstoppable. Simply put, it was another Spanish party on the international stage. Spain won its third straight major soccer title Sunday, routing Italy 4-0 in the European Championship final and making it look all too easy. David Silva and Jordi Alba scored first-half goals, and substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata added two more in the final minutes as the Spanish passing game worked its magic against the Italians at the Olympic Stadium.

Silva headed in a high shot in the 14th minute off a pass from Cesc Fabregas. And Alba added another in the 41st, picking up a beautiful through ball from Xavi Hernandez and shooting past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Torres, who came on for Fabregas in the 75th minute, added the third goal with an easy finish and Mata really put the game away in the 88th, knocking in a pass from Torres. Spain won the Euro 2008 title four years ago in Vienna and followed that up with the World Cup title in Johannesburg two years ago. Not only has Spain won every knockout game since losing to France in the second round of the 2006 World Cup, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas hasn't allowed a goal in that 10-game span. The last player to beat him is such an important match was Zinedine Zidane, and he retired after that tournament. Spain was the favorite heading into the match, but also seemed primed for a loss after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Italians in their opening Group C match.

Spain, which has been experimenting with a lineup that excludes a recognized striker, needed a penalty shootout to reach the final after a 0-0 tie with Portugal in the semifinals. The controversial lineup, which Spain coach Vicente del Bosque again employed on Sunday, is akin to playing in the Super Bowl without a running back. Sure, you can still score touchdowns, but you give up on the chance for a game-breaking play. Spain did just fine without the strikers, but they did even better when Torres came on. But as good as the play was up front for Spain, it was the steady hands of Casillas at the back that likely preserved the victory. Casillas made a point-blank save on a shot from Antonio Di Natale at the start of the second half, and twice tipped crosses out of danger just before the Italians could get their heads to the ball. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Defending champions Spain win Euro 2012 to complete historic treble - CNN.com Defending champions Spain win Euro 2012 to complete historic treble By Paul Gittings, CNN Updated 0940 GMT (1740 HKT) July 2, 2012 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. JUST WATCHED Spain celebrates historic Euro 2012 win 02:20 Story highlights Spain beat Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012 in Kiev Goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata seal win Spain first team to successfully defend European Championship title La Roja also won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa Defending champions Spain claimed an historic third successive major international trophy with a 4-0 rout of Italy in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev Sunday. It was a breathtaking display from the 2010 World Cup winners, with victory all but sealed by halftime as goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba gave them a 2-0 lead.

Substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata rounded off the emphatic win with two late strikes. Victory in the final also represents a triumph for 61-year-old coach Vicente Del Bosque, the first man to lead teams to the World Cup, European Championships and European Champions League crowns, the latter with Real Madrid in 2000 and 2002. "This success in Spanish football is something historic, and now we have to look to the future and try to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil," he told gathered reporters. But for Italy and their coach Cesare Prandelli it was a bitter end to a tournament which they had earlier graced with their imaginative performances. JUST WATCHED Spain crowned Euro 2012 champions 06:14 "We came up against a terrific side," Prandelli admitted. Euro 2012 LIVE: Spain vs Italy La Roja shone brightly from the start and with a cutting edge, despite again starting the match without a recognized striker. Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez brushed the crossbar with a fierce shot in the 10th minute after dazzling interplay but it did not take long for the pressure to pay off.

Xavi's club teammate Andres Iniesta threaded a perfect pass through for Cesc Fabregas to cross for David Silva to head home on 14 minutes. Italy, who caused such a shock with a 2-1 win over Germany in the semifinals, responded with a pair of Antonio Cassano efforts, but with Mario Balotelli unable to make much impression they always looked second best. Spain went further ahead just before halftime and the goal was typical off their all round teamwork. Defender Jordi Alba exchanged passes with Xavi and burst through the center of the Italian defense before easily beating Gianluigi Buffon. After the break, Italy responded with a pair of chances for Antonio di Natali, the first a header, the second with a clearer sight of goal only to be denied twice in quick succession by Spain captain Iker Casillas. Italian hopes of a comeback took a further dent when their final substitute, Thiago Motta, lasted only five minutes before being stretchered off. Against a tiring team with only 10 men, Spain eventually took full advantage after the introduction of Chelsea's Torres.

Xavi found him with another superb pass and he slotted home the third on 84 minutes, becoming the first man to score in two successive European Championship finals. He had grabbed the only goal of the 2008 final win over Germany. Torres then cleverly set up his club teammate Mata to score with virtually his first touch of the ball. In doing so, Torres clinched the tournament's Golden Boot for his joint leading three goals and that final assist. It left Casillas to lift the trophy in the magnificent Olympic Stadium, the Real Madrid goalkeeper reveling in yet another showpiece triumph for a team many are calling the greatest in history. "This is such a truly wonderful moment. The second goal from Jordi (Alba) clinched it really," he told Telecinco television. "It's been four marvelous years. You might think that a 4-0 margin against Italy means it was easy -- but we have been gradually stepping up as the tournament went along." Sunday's final set the seal on three weeks of competition in Ukraine and Poland at eight match venues and involving 16 teams.

Twenty four national sides will take their place in the next finals in France in 2016 and they will do well to match the overall high standard of attacking play in Euro 2012. Incidents of racist chanting and violent clashes between supporters from Poland and Russia marred the group stages, but fears of widespread fan violence proved just fears. Ukraine's alleged mistreatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko also led to threats of a boycott by European political leaders, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended their quarterfinal victory over Greece. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rayoy were guests at the final, a welcome distraction perhaps from the economic turmoil engulfing their austerity-hit countries in the Eurozone crisis. More controversially, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was also among the dignitaries, despite being the subject of a European Union travel ban. His invite sparked a protest from a feminist group in Kiev before the final.

Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 final | BDN Maine | Bangor Daily News Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 final By Chris Lehourites, The Associated Press July 01, 2012, at 7:07 p.m. KIEV, Ukraine — The defense was impenetrable. The offense was unstoppable. Simply put, it was another Spanish party on the international stage. Spain won its third straight major soccer title Sunday, routing Italy 4-0 in the European Championship final and making it look all too easy. David Silva and Jordi Alba scored first-half goals, and substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata added two more in the final minutes as the Spanish passing game worked its magic against the Italians at the Olympic Stadium. Silva headed in a high shot in the 14th minute off a pass from Cesc Fabregas. And Alba added another in the 41st, picking up a beautiful through ball from Xavi Hernandez and shooting past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Torres, who came on for Fabregas in the 75th minute, added the third goal with an easy finish and Mata really put the game away in the 88th, knocking in a pass from Torres. “They were a great rival, but we took control of the game as time went by,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. Spain won the Euro 2008 title four years ago in Vienna and followed that up with the World Cup title in Johannesburg two years ago. “They had made history before, and I could now,” said Alba, who has played only nine matches for Spain. “I don’t believe it but little by little it is sinking in.” Torres also scored the lone goal in the 1-0 win over Germany in 2008, making him the first man to score in two European Championship finals. Not only has Spain won every knockout game since losing to France in the second round of the 2006 World Cup, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas hasn’t allowed a goal in that 10-game span. The last player to beat him is such an important match was Zinedine Zidane, and he retired after that tournament.

Sunday’s win was a record 100th for Casillas in international soccer. Spain was the favorite heading into the match, but also seemed primed for a loss after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Italians in their opening Group C match. Spain, which has been experimenting with a lineup that excludes a recognized striker, needed a penalty shootout to reach the final after a 0-0 tie with Portugal in the semifinals. The controversial lineup, which Del Bosque again employed on Sunday, is akin to playing in the Super Bowl without a running back. Sure, you can still score touchdowns, but you give up on the chance for a game-breaking play. Spain did just fine without the strikers, but they did even better when Torres came on. Although he has struggled both for Spain and Chelsea recently — and was relegated to the bench for four of the six games at Euro 2012 — Torres came on Sunday and made a difference. But as good as the play was up front for Spain, it was the steady hands of Casillas at the back that likely preserved the victory.

Casillas made a point-blank save on a shot from Antonio Di Natale at the start of the second half, and twice tipped crosses out of danger just before the Italians could get their heads to the ball. With every save, and of course with every goal, the huge group of Spain supporters cheered and screamed. The red-shirted fans dominated one corner of the stadium, filling up more than six sections of the Olympic Stadium. On the opposite side, the blue-clad Italians were far outnumbered, with dozens of empty yellow seats poking through the mass of supporters. The political aspect of the game involved several heads of state. Italian Premier Mario Monti, along with other EU leaders, had said they would not travel to Ukraine for the tournament because of the politically tainted jailing of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. But that didn’t stop him from attending the final in Kiev. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also attended the match, and got to watch as his players celebrated with confetti and fireworks when they lifted yet another major trophy.

Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 CHRIS LEHOURITES Share View photos Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012. Spain won the match 4-0. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) More KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Just like clockwork, Spain's "tiki taka" passing game tore Italy apart. The World Cup champions controlled the play Sunday in the European Championship final, as they usually do. They moved the ball up the field with short pass after short pass, as they usually do. But, incredibly, they also managed to score a whopping four goals, something they don't usually do. It all added up to a 4-0 win over Italy and a third straight major soccer title for Spain. "We won being true to our playing style, and by moving the ball the we way we moved it we knew how to take charge of the match," said Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, the team's captain.

"What we do is difficult but we make it look easy." Casillas and Spain striker Fernando Torres also made their own histories. Torres became the first man to score in two European Championship finals, and Casillas played in his record 100th victory in international soccer. Spain's other goals on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium came from David Silva, Jordi Alba and Juan Mata. "We were superior to Italy," said midfielder Xavi Hernandez, perhaps Spain's most influential player over the last four years. "We played a complete game and perhaps the best of the entire European Championship. We made history." Four years ago at Euro 2008, Spain ended a 44-year drought of major titles, beating Germany 1-0 in the final to start a run that has been unmatched by any other team in history. Although they lost to the United States in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in 2009, snapping a record 15-game winning streak, the Spanish have been nearly impossible to beat in competitive matches. A year after that game against the Americans, Spain opened the 2010 World Cup with a loss to Switzerland.

But they then went on a tear, winning their next six games to finally claim a World Cup title and undoubtedly shed for good the "underachiever" tag. In all that time since Euro 2008, Spain has won with flair, using its short passing game — dubbed "tiki taka" by the Spanish media and adopted by the team — to dazzle scrambling opponents. "Tonight, there was no contest," Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said. "They were too superior, so the bitterness at losing this final is only relative." Against Italy, Spain was the favorite, but was also primed to be beaten after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Italians in their opening Group C match. Spain, which has been experimenting with a lineup that excludes a recognized striker, needed a penalty shootout to reach the final after a 0-0 tie with Portugal in the semifinals. "They've been playing at a very high level for years," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said.

"And even though they didn't use any traditional striker, they were able to give weight to their attack." The controversial lineup, which Spain coach Vicente del Bosque again employed on Sunday, is akin to playing in the Super Bowl without a running back. Sure, you can still score touchdowns, but you give up on the chance for a game-breaking play. Still, the midfielders and the defenders got the job done in the first half. Silva headed in a high shot in the 14th minute off a pass from Cesc Fabregas. And Alba added another in the 41st, picking up a beautiful through ball from Xavi and shooting past Buffon. "The game was ours after the first goal, but the truth is that we played one heck of a game," Fabregas said. Italy's task was tough enough with 11 players, and it became impossible with only 10 after the 64th minute. All its substitutes were used when midfielder Thiago Motta, who had only been on the field for seven minutes, was taken off with an injury.

Torres, who came on for Fabregas in the 75th minute, then added the third goal with a relatively easy finish and Mata really put the game away in the 88th, knocking in a pass from Torres. "The second goal by Jordi hurt them, and then the third finished them off," said Casillas, who made a point-blank save on a shot from Antonio Di Natale at the start of the second half and twice tipped crosses out of danger just before the Italians could get their heads to the ball. With every save, and of course with every goal, the huge group of Spain supporters cheered and screamed. The red-shirted fans dominated one corner of the stadium, filling up more than six sections of the Olympic Stadium. On the opposite side, the blue-clad Italians were far outnumbered, with dozens of empty yellow seats poking through the mass of supporters. Also in the stands were several heads of state. Italian Premier Mario Monti, along with other EU leaders, had said they would not travel to Ukraine for the tournament because of the politically tainted jailing of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. But that didn't stop him from attending the final in Kiev.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also attended the match, and got to watch as his players celebrated with confetti and fireworks when they lifted yet another major trophy. "I don't believe it," said Alba, who has played only nine matches for Spain, "but little by little it is sinking in." Reblog Spain wins again, beating Italy 4-0 at Euro 2012 – USATODAY.com Enlarge Close Matthias Schrader, AP Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy. Sponsored Links Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba in the first half gave Spain a convincing lead. Fernando Torres and fellow substitute Juan Mata added goals in the last six minutes. Italy's task was tough enough with 11 players, and it became impossible with just 10 after the 64th minute. All its substitutes were used when midfielder Thiago Motta , who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, was taken off due to injury. The victory lifted Spain to a record third consecutive major title, after winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup .

The hat trick of titles is an unprecedented feat for a European team, as is successfully defending the championship. Spain even allowed Italy the majority of first-half possession, yet its trademark quick passing game was lethal when required. Spain captain Iker Casillas was outstanding in keeping Italy's attack at bay for his 10th consecutive shutout in tournament knockout matches. The victory was the most comprehensive in a European Championship final, beating West Germany's 3-0 win vs. the Soviet Union in 1972. It was also a perfect response to Spain's critics, who said the world and European champion had become boring. They kept possession with endless back-and-forth passes to deny opponents the ball and stifle games, not win them, the detractors said. But Spain answered by playing its best game at Euro 2012 when most was at stake. In the 14th minute, Andres Iniesta's pass found Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas drifted behind defender Giorgio Chiellini and drew goalie Gianluigi Buffon to his near post. Silva waited eight yards out to head a pass back from Fabregas into the net. Spain then increased its lead just four minutes before the break.

Hernandez had been below his usual high standard at Euro 2012, but he has pass hit Alba in stride as the left-back burst past four Italian defenders to slip his shot past Buffon. Spain cruised through the second half, to cries of "Ole" from its fans. Torres slide his shot past Buffon and inside the far post in the 84th minute. Minutes later, Mata came off the bench like Torres, and took his Chelsea teammate's pass to score into an Italian goal left unguarded yet again. It was his first shot of the tournament, and Spain's final goal. Contributing: By The Associated Press Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. For more information about reprints & permissions , visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com . Posted | Updated USA TODAY is now using Facebook Comments on our stories and blog posts to provide an enhanced user experience.

To post a comment, log into Facebook and then "Add" your comment. To report spam or abuse, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find out more, read the FAQ and Conversation Guidelines . Top viewed stories, photo galleries and community posts of the day Most popular right now: Who Won Euro Cup 2012 – Spain Win 4-0 Over Italy Who Won Euro Cup 2012 – Spain Win 4-0 Over Italy Updated on April 8, 2013 Euro Cup Final Euro Cup 2012 Final Who Won the Euro Cup 2012 Final? Spain and Italy played in the much anticipated Euro Cup 2012 Final to a thrilling 4-0 victory for the defending champions, Spain. Spain has now defended its 2008 Euro Cup title as well as achieved the glory of being the first team to win three major tournaments in a row (Euro ’08, World Cup ’10, and Euro ’12). Italy tried to stop the Spanish after unexpectedly beating tournament favorites Germany in the Semifinal 2-1.

Spain and Italy met in the first group game, which ended in an interesting 1-1 tie. The Spanish dominated in the Final however, and showed the world that they are deserving of another championship win. Spain Wins 4-0 in Euro Cup Final 2012 - Match Summary and Analysis Spain and Italy faced each other in the 2012 Euro Cup Final. Predictions for the game were running wild with Spain looking to defend its Euro Cup 2008 title, and Italy playing superbly like they had nothing to lose. Spain Win Euro Cup 2012 Spain Champions of Euro Cup 2012 Torres Golden Boot Winner Euro Cup Final - Match Summary After a classy closing ceremony, the Spanish and Italian teams entered the field and national anthems were sung. The stadium was buzzing and you could see the players extreme concentration. Spain decided to go with a ‘false number 9’, using Fabregas in the midfield instead of a striker. Italy kept a mostly unchanged formation, with Balotelli and Cassanno starting up top. Match Summary - the Goals: Spain’s first goal came just 14 minutes into the match.

They controlled the ball very well in the midfield before slipping a through ball to Fabregas who gave a short cross directly to Silva’s head. Silva made no mistake, heading it home into the top corner giving Spain a 1-0 lead. In the 41st minute, and incredible through pass found Jordi Alba who made no mistake finishing into the side net past goalkeeper Buffon. While Italy continued to fight and get chances, this second goal made comeback extremely challenging for the Italians. In the second half of the Euro Final, Italy made three early substitutions and were extremely unlucky when substitute Thiago Motta pulled up in the 62nd minute with an injury. With not subs left, they were forced to play the rest of the match with only 10 men, and one could see the tiredness increase with each minute. Spain substituted Pedro, Torres and Juan Mata on in the second half as well. Although the game was all but over, in the 84th minute Fernando Torres scored a great goal giving him 3 goals in the tournament and Spain and 3 goal lead over Italy.

The final nail in the coffin came from another through ball to Torres who unselfishly passed the ball to Chelsea teammate Juan Mata who finished easily. With this goal, Spain finished the game 4-0 over Italy, loudly proclaiming their dominance in the game. Euro Final Match Stats Is Spain the Best Team in History? Yes, Spain is the best No, not quite See results without voting Euro Cup Final - Match Analysis: Many wondered if Spain really had what it would take to repeat as Euro Cup Champions. Their performance for much of the tournament, while dominating, was lackluster in action. Specifically in the quarterfinal, they played France to a rather uneventful 2-0 victory in which they controlled the game, but had few shots, and less action. But Spain changed everything in the final. From the very start of the 2012 Euro Final, Spain played like the Champions they are. Their passing was crisp, their play was fast and most importantly, their passing resulted in chances on goal. Spain was quickly rewarded with two goals in the first half and they continued that trend into the second half with two more goals. Amazingly, Spain did not have a huge amount of possession.

In fact, Spain had 52% to Italy’s 48% possession. Yet it was what Spain did with their possession that mattered. While Italy did not necessarily play poorly, they were outclasses by Spain and it seemed like very little went their way during the game. Perhaps the only events that did go their way were two penalty kick none-calls by the ref. One was an obvious handball, with questions about intention, the other a foul just inside the box. Neither were called, but Spain didn’t need them anyway. Spain’s strong defense kept the Italian attackers quiet. Pirlo, Balotelli and Cassanno were unable to score, and besides a few shots, had little luck. The entire Spanish team deserves credit as they each played well and worked as a team. The goalkeeper, Casillas stopped a few shots and got the shutout; the midfield played with pace and precision passing. Silva, Alba, Torres and Mata each got goals. With Fernando Torres’ goal and assist to Mata, he became the Euro Cup 2012 Golden boot winner. Italy and Spain: How They Reached the Final Both Italy and Spain have been less than perfect as they made their way to the Euro Cup Final.

Italy tied several teams during the tournament, including Croatia and England. While Spain has not looked quite the same as they did during past tournaments. But the important fact is Italy and Spain both made it to the final. Here is who they played, and beat, to reach the final game. Spain Spain | Source Spain's Road to the Euro Cup 2012 Final Spain was fortunate to be in a relatively easy group for Euro 2012, with Croatia, Italy and Ireland rounding out Group C. In Spain’s first group game, they played a somewhat underdog team in Italy, and yet only tied the game 1-1. Before the tournament, Italy was rocked by match fixing allegations in the Serie A. These issues were expected to have a negative effect on the Italian team, but they might have helped reduce the pressure, as Italy, despite long odds, are in the final. Next, Spain dominated an Irish team who were just happy they qualified for the tournament. The final score was 4-0, with two goals by the Spanish striker Torres. Spain looked themselves in this match, and quickly removed any fears generated from their tie with Italy.

In Spain’s final group game, they played a fairly good Croatian team that tied Italy 1-1. Spain put on a passing clinic and characteristically beat Croatia 1-0 to advance to the Euro Cup quarterfinals. Spain played France in the Euro Cup 2012 Quarterfinal match, and won 2-0 after an incredibly uneventful game. Some claimed the Spanish lulled the French to sleep, or perhaps the French didn’t even know a soccer game was occurring. Either way, Spain advanced, and France showed the world they could not compete. Spain’s Semifinal match was a much anticipated clash with Portugal. Many of the Spanish and Portuguese players play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. In this Euro Semifinal game, Portugal did what France couldn’t do, they put high pressure on Spain and forced them to kick long balls and give uncharacteristic turnovers. Portugal’s performance outlined how the Spanish could be stopped, with both teams possessing an almost equal chance of winning. The game remained scoreless, and as it went into overtime, Spain looked more and more likely to score. In the end, after 120 Minutes, Spain won in a Penalty shootout beating Portugal 4-2.

Italy Balotelli goal against Germany Italy's Road to the Euro Cup 2012 Final Italy began the Euro Cup tournament with the air buzzing about match fixing and players being investigated from Italy’s home league, Serie A . It was up for debate as to whether Italy would be able to even advance from their group, group C. With formidable opponents in Spain as well as a strong Croatian side, Italy would have to put any problems aside an focus on playing the game. As mentioned above, Italy played Spain in the first group match. Most expected Spain to dominate Italy. But Italy did enough and found a way to reach a 1-1 draw against the defending World Cup and Euro Cup champions. Italy’s second group game was against Croatia, who had won their first game against Ireland. An incredible first half free kick by Pirlo gave Italy the lead. However, in the second half Croatia got a goal, to leave the game 1-1 at the end. Pirlo’s spectacular performance was only the start of a series of inspiring games played by the Italian midfielder. The last game of the group stage was a must win for Italy against Ireland.

While most expected Italy to win, Ireland put up a fight in an effort to leave the tournament with at least points on the board. The final score was 2-0 in Italy’s favor, and allowed Italy to advance second in their group behind Spain. Italy played England for the quarterfinal match in an interesting situation where neither team had been expected to make it much further. Both teams played hard, with Pirlo organizing a continuous Italian attack while England fiercely defended their goal. After 120 minutes, the game was still tied at 0-0, but the Italians certainly deserved to have won. In the ensuing Penalty Kick shootout, Italy got what they deserved and won their Euro Cup quarterfinal 4-2 on PK’s. Italy faced a mountain to climb for their Euro Cup semifinal game in the form of Germany. Germany was unbeaten in the competition and most were predicting a German win not only in the semifinal, but even in the final against Spain. The Italian strategy was to fill the midfield, and rely on their striker to make something happen, and he did not disappoint. Mario Balotelli scored twice in the first half for the Italian side which seemed to daze Germany and they were never able to recover.

The final score was 2-1 after Germany was awarded a late Penalty Kick from a handball. With this result, Italy proudly made their way to the final. Euro Cup 2012 154 people have voted in this poll. This poll is now closed to voting. Euro 2012 Final Match More Info Euro 2012 Final - Spain 4-0 Italy - The tactics that won Spain the Euro 2012 final and a place in the record books. Euro Cup 2012 Final – Pre-Match Prediction Prediction for Euro Cup 2012 Final: Spanish Victory Italy have been playing better and better as the tournament continued and I believe they will be more of a challenge in the final than they were when they tied Spain in the first game. Italy is playing with more confidence and they can see the prize very clearly now. However, Spain has the ability to control the game, and I think in the end, this will allow Spain to repeat as European Champions. I believe the game will be very close, with Spain controlling possession, but Italy being dangerous on counter attacks.

In the end, I think the result will either be a 2-1 win for Spain, or perhaps Penalty Kicks, in which case, it is a 50/50 chance for either side. I must admit, after Italy’s win over Germany in the semifinal, they cannot be counted out and they do have a good chance to win it for themselves if they can repeat their semifinal performance in the final. In the end, Spain won Euro Cup 2012 final in an emphatic 4-0 victory. Date and Time of Euro Cup 2012 Final The Euro Cup Final took place on Sunday, July 1st in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv (Kiev). The Match started at 20:45CET In America, the game was live on ESPN with coverage beginning at 2:00pm Eastern Time, and kick off at 2:45 EST. Soccernomics: Why England Loses...

Spain routs Italy 4-0 in Euro 2012 soccer championship Spain routs Italy 4-0 in Euro 2012 soccer championship 1 Jul 2012 comments Imperious Spain took their place among the game's greats in vintage style by thrashing Italy 4-0 to become the first team to win successive European Championship titles on Sunday. Italy's Daniele De Rossi (R) challenges Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa during their Euro 2012 final soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, July 1, 2012. Photo: Darren Staples / Reuters In English Goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata gave the world champions an easy victory over an Italian team down to 10 men through injury for the last half-hour.

Spain's emphatic triumph means they have become the first European side to win three major tournaments following their success in Euro 2008 and the World Cup two years ago The diminutive Silva scored with a rare header after a Cesc Fabregas pull-back in the 14th minute before a superb sprint finish from left-back Alba following a pinpoint Xavi pass doubled their lead four minutes before halftime. Torres, who scored the winner in the final when Spain won the title in 2008, struck their third goal in the 84th minute before setting up fellow substitute Mata who calmly rounded off the scoring with a simple finish in the 88th. The result was the highest margin of victory recorded in either a European Championship or World Cup final and Torres is the first player to score in two Euro finals. Spain's triumph means Vicente Del Bosque is only the second coach to win a European Championship and a World Cup, joining Helmut Schoen who did so with West Germany in 1972 and 1974. Spain's third Euro success also brings them level with Germany's record after the Spanish also won the trophy in 1964.

"This match was great for our players, they controlled the game," he said. "After the first goal the Italians became more dangerous but we kept the pressure, the depth, we are very happy. This success of Spanish football is something historic." Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was gracious in defeat adding: "They made history and deservedly - they have a lot of players tried and tested at this level and even though they don't play with a classic striker they cause you plenty of problems." STYLISH SPAIN Italy had more possession than Spain in the opening half but when they did have a sniff of goal goalkeeper Iker Casillas maintained his astonishing record of not conceding a goal in the knockout stage of a tournament for the 10th successive match. Spain, who started without a recognized striker, were all artistry and guile in midfield while Italy, whose own creator Andrea Pirlo failed to shine, were handicapped by having only 10 men from the hour mark after using up all three substitutes. The third of them, Thiago Motta, only lasted four minutes after replacing Riccardo Montolivo in the 57th before limping off with a hamstring injury.

Italy went close twice through second half substitute Antonio Di Natale but Mario Balotelli, the two-goal hero of their 2-1 semi-final win over Germany, rarely looked like scoring. The opening goal came when Andres Iniesta split the Italy defense with an incisive pass to Fabregas who outpaced Giorgio Chiellini to get to the byline where he pulled the ball back to Silva who flashed his header past the helpless Buffon. The second came when Alba tore past the static Leonardo Bonucci and planted a perfect left foot shot past Gianluigi Buffon. Torres then ran through to score the third after another Xavi through ball before setting up Mata with a deft flick. Italy's Prandelli said he only wished his team had got more time to rest after their semi-final win over Germany, played a day later than Spain's shootout victory against Portugal. "Against a team like Spain I think you really need to be good in the tackle and fit.

They totally dominated this evening, we have to congratulate a great side for their victory." The only other team to win three successive major titles was Argentina who lifted the Copa America in 1945, 1946 and 1947 but at a time when that tournament was held annually. Despite Spain's remarkable achievement on Sunday, their 61-year-old coach Del Bosque has already turned his attention to winning more silverware and yet more records could tumble. "There will be more challenges, the qualification for the World Cup (in Brazil), the Confederations Cup where we will represent Europe - and we want to do it well." (Editing by Ken Ferris) Reuters - Reuters content is the intellectual property of Thomson Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.

share Published Sunday, July 1, 2012 3:13PM PDT Last Updated Sunday, July 1, 2012 7:04PM PDT Spain swept to a majestic 4-0 victory over Italy in the European Championship final on Sunday, retaining its title and extending its reign as the best team in world football. After critics had called this Spain team boring at Euro 2012, the most one-sided final in the tournament's history was a perfect response. Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba in the first half gave Spain a convincing lead. Fernando Torres and fellow substitute Juan Mata scored in the last six minutes to turn victory into a rout. Italy's task was tough enough with 11 players, and it became impossible with just 10 after the 64th minute. All its substitutes were used when midfielder Thiago Motta, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, was taken off due to injury. "We respect (Italy) very much. They were a great rival, but we took control of the game as time went by," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said.

The victory lifted Spain to a record third straight major title, after winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. The hat trick of titles is an unprecedented feat for a European team, as is successfully defending the championship. Spain even allowed Italy the majority of first-half possession, yet its trademark quick passing game was lethal when required. The second was almost entirely one-way traffic. "Tonight, there was no contest, they were too superior -- so the bitterness at losing this final is only relative," Italy's captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said. His Spanish counterpart as keeper and skipper, Iker Casillas, also was outstanding in keeping Italy's attack at bay for his 10th consecutive clean sheet in tournament knockout matches. The victory was the most comprehensive in a European Championship final, beating West Germany's 3-0 win over the Soviet Union in 1972. Critics of Spain's style had said the world and European champions were boring -- keeping possession with endless back-and-forth passes to stifle games, not win them. But Spain answered by playing its best and slickest football at Euro 2012 when most was at stake.

"You could tell right away that they were fresher physically," said Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, whose team played in the semifinals on Thursday, one day after Spain. "We didn't have time to recuperate, especially against players like these. It became very, very difficult indeed to come back from 2-0 down." Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo could not orchestrate play like he had when Germany and England were eliminated. Pirlo looked up with teary red eyes as Spain lifted the trophy. When the final whistle was blown, Spain's players rushed to each other and huddled in a circle, jumping and spinning in celebration. Of course, they did it deep in Italy's half. Sergio Ramos and Xavi Hernandez had already threatened Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's goal when Spain took the lead in the 14th minute. Andres Iniesta's incisive forward pass to find Cesc Fabregas was superb. Fabregas drifted behind defender Giorgio Chiellini and surged to the byline, drawing Buffon to his near post. Silva waited eight yards (meters) out to head a crisp chip back from Fabregas into the net.

Spain then increased its lead just four minutes before the break. Hernandez had been below his usual high standard at Euro 2012, but he put a weighted pass into Alba's stride as the left-back burst past four Italian defenders to slip his shot past Buffon. The great Italian 'keeper also witnessed a master class from his friend and opposite number Casillas, who was on a winning Spanish side for the 100th time. Casillas has not conceded a goal in a knockout match since Zinedine Zidane scored for France in a 3-1 win, which knocked Spain out of the 2006 World Cup in the second round. At 1-0, Casillas twice stretched to tip crossed balls to safety, as Daniele De Rossi and then Mario Balotelli seemed poised to head goalwards. Casillas also twice went low to save shots from Antonio Cassano before Alba's goal put SpainTh into its comfort zone. Cassano was replaced at halftime by Antonio Di Natale, who has scored the only goal Spain conceded at Euro 2012 -- a 1-1 draw to open its Group C campaign in Gdansk, Poland.

Di Natale quickly unsettled Spain, heading just over before forcing Casillas into a double save when released into space by Pirlo's clever pass. However, Motta lasted just five minutes before he appeared to pull his right hamstring and left in obvious pain. Spain cruised through the second half, to cries of "Ole" from its fans, before inflicting further agony on Italy. Xavi found Torres to slide his shot past Buffon and inside the far post in the 84th minute. Minutes later, Juan Mata came off the bench like Torres, and took his Chelsea teammate's pass to score into an Italian goal left unguarded yet again. It was his first shot of the tournament, and Spain's final goal. Photos Spain's Fernando Torres, his wife Olalla, right, pose with the trophy for a photograph after Spain won the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Spain 4-0 Italy | Euro 2012 final match report | Football | The Guardian Share on Messenger Close In the end, Spain were the best team in Euro 2012 by a considerable distance.

They turned the final into a procession and, when they reflect on becoming the first nation to win three major tournaments in succession, the sense of jubilation should be greatly enhanced by this being the night when they were rewarded for having absolute conviction in their principles. They never wavered in the face of great scrutiny and Vicente del Bosque's formation, however unorthodox, was shown ultimately to be based on the strongest of foundations, to the extent it feels bizarre in the extreme that a team of this brilliance could ever be accused of not entertaining. Boring Spain ? The debate is so ridiculous it should be put in a box and kept in a place where it does not come out to trouble us again. It was a night of grievous damage for Italy , when the final whistle was merciful and Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli watched the trophy presentation through tears. Never before has a final been turned into such a rout, or one that felt so overwhelmingly brutal, and the real debate about Spain, surely, is whether there has ever been a more devastatingly effective team.

The answer, almost certainly, is that there has not and anyone who wants to argue the point need only refer to the avalanche of statistics that confirm them as the pass-and-move specialists of their industry. One, in particular, stands out: this team have not conceded a goal in a knock-out match since 2006, incorporating ten matches and almost 17 hours of pitch-time. More often than not, it is because their opponents simply cannot get the ball. Del Bosque's team were ahead before a quarter of an hour had been played, courtesy of David Silva's header, and they had doubled that lead four minutes before the interval, when Xavi Hernández's pass sent Jordi Alba running clear. Italy have played with great charisma throughout this tournament but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished on the hour when Thiago Motta, their third substitute, suffered a hamstring injury. They had nobody left to bring on and, a man down, were always going to be vulnerable to what followed during those brutal, late stages.

Fernando Torres stroked in the third, in the process becoming the first player to score in two European Championship finals, and it was another substitute, Juan Mata, who completed the rout barely a minute after coming on the pitch. Italy will rue their bad luck but the truth, indisputably, is that Spain had signalled their superiority long before they had the luxury of the extra player. La Roja played with style and panache. They had the night's outstanding performer in Andrés Iniesta and another, Xavi, occupying the same tier of uncommon brilliance. Then consider the contribution of Xabi Alonso, Silva and Cesc Fábregas. Del Bosque's line-up, with no recognised striker, might not appeal to the Eurosauruses out there but the simple truth is the Spanish are too refined, too devoted to the art of possession, to change for anyone. Del Bosque had listened to the criticism, all that stuff about it being a negative tactic, and decided not to budge an inch, and who can blame him? The first olés could be heard inside the opening five minutes.

It was not that Italy were particularly poor; this was just a Spanish team filled with serial champions, all of whom wanted the ball and had the football intelligence to do the right things with it. The paradox is that Italy had plenty of possession, too. Yet Spain had penetration, working those elaborate little passing triangles, then suddenly changing the pace of the game once they saw the openings. The first goal was a case in point. Xavi was involved, almost inevitably. Iniesta, too. These two alone make it feel faintly preposterous that Spain could ever be condemned for drudgery. Iniesta's pass inside Giorgio Chiellini was weighted beautifully. Fábregas was quick enough to elude his opponent and drive into the penalty area. The ball into Silva arrived at pace and an awkward height but the Manchester City player improvised with a twisting header, angled perfectly into the top corner. By that stage Spain had already established the pattern of controlling play in the middle of the pitch. Their three more advanced players — Silva, Iniesta and Fábregas — could all interchange positions. Xavi and Iniesta were the stars, but everyone gets their go in this team.

What also gets overlooked sometimes is the devilish way they work to get the ball back when they lose it. It is as if they are so aggrieved to have forfeited possession they cannot rest until they are back in control, knocking the ball around, left and right, long and short. Italy's attacking was more erratic and when Chiellini signalled to the bench that he could not continue, six minutes after Silva's goal, the impression grew that their first Euro final since 2000 was turning into an ordeal. Briefly, Cesare Prandelli's players rallied but Xavi's pass for Alba was sumptuous and suddenly the left-back was sprinting clear to stroke his shot past Gianluigi Buffon and, from there, Spain were never going to be caught. Italy will reflect on two chances early in the second half for Antonio Di Natale, a half-time replacement for Antonio Cassano. In between, however, they were lucky not to concede a penalty after Leonardo Bonucci's arm blocked Sergio Ramos's header. This was their one moment of good fortune and when Motta went off, only four minutes after his arrival, it was almost a surprise Buffon was not beaten again until the 84th minute.

Xavi was the architect again, picking up De Rossi's misplaced pass and playing Torres through the middle to slip his shot by the side of Buffon. Italy were crushed and, four minutes later, Torres was clear again, squaring his pass for Mata to add the final flourish and bring more olés. Sid Lowe: Spain's players had not left the Olympic Stadium in Kiev before minds were being focused on winning the 2014 World Cup Published: 2 Jul 2012 Spain's football team arrive back at their hotel after the 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final Published: 2 Jul 2012 The Spain midfielder spoke of the 'magical' feeling of beating Italy and winning Euro 2012 Published: 1 Jul 2012 German media has debated a lack of passion as the national team sang their anthem before the defeat by Italy Published: 2 Jul 2012

Question: Who won the Euro 2012 soccer tournament, beating Italy 4-0 in Kiev?
Answer: Spain